Alcoa Defense Awarded Contract for Naval Design Services

(Washington, November 12, 2007) -- Alcoa (NYSE:AA) announced today that it has been awarded a contract from the Naval Surface Warfare Center's Carderock Division for design and engineering services. These services will assist in the development of selected assemblies and components of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and other naval vessels, particularly high-speed craft that navigate shallow waters.

"This is a great opportunity for us to showcase the significant contributions we can make when involved at the earliest stages of the engineering process," said Dr. Jimmy Williams Jr., director of research and development, Alcoa Defense. "We will collaborate with a number of leading original equipment manufacturers and use our expertise in maximizing aluminum performance to enhance their designs. This contract may enable a number of breakthroughs in naval technology, such as new marine alloys, fire retardant coatings or new aluminum joining techniques, which will benefit all future naval vessels."

The U.S. Congress funded the contract in recognition of the design and engineering services that Alcoa Defense has already provided to the Army and the Air Force under the Army Lightweight Structures Initiative and the Advance Aluminum Aerostructures Initiative.

"We're very excited to build on our record with the Army and Air Force and establish this type of design partnership with the U.S. Navy," said David Dobson, president, Alcoa Defense. "We're honored that the Navy recognizes our ability to help make its ships lighter, faster and stronger."